Intravenous Poison Hemlock Injection Resulting in Prolonged Respiratory Failure and Encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a common plant with a significant toxicity. Data on this toxicity is sparse as there have been few case reports and never a documented poisoning after intravenous injection.

OBJECTIVES: We present a case of intravenous poison hemlock injection encountered in the emergency department.

CASE REPORT: We describe a 30-year-old male who presented to the emergency department after a brief cardiac arrest after injecting poison hemlock. The patient had return of spontaneous circulation in the emergency department but had prolonged muscular weakness and encephalopathy later requiring tracheostomy.

CONCLUSION: Intravenous injection of poison hemlock alkaloids can result in significant toxicity, including cardiopulmonary arrest, prolonged weakness, and encephalopathy.